People Are Sharing The Underrated Vacations That Completely Surprised Them, And Now I Have Serious Wanderlust
Dreaming of travel at some point? Us too. Luckily, redditor u/NuclearWinterGames recently asked world travelers to share an underrated travel destination that they would highly recommend. Here are some of the responses to add to your travel bucket list.
1.Siena, Italy
"Siena is located in the Tuscany region, but it's not as crowded and touristy as Florence. It's a small town so you won't get lost, but there's still plenty going on. There are bed and breakfasts, cute town squares, coffee shops, and tiny markets selling fresh fruit."
2.Senegal, West Africa
"Senegal, specifically Dakar and its surroundings, should be up there with Cape Town, Nairobi, Johannesburg, Abidjan, and Cairo as Africa's "main hubs." It's a lovely city with a lot of French influence, and it's a great spot to start a trip in West Africa."
3.Southern Japan
"Most tourists visit Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka — but the south of Japan is totally different. People are more relaxed, and the cities are beautiful. Fukuoka is a refreshing, slower-paced alternative to the busy cities like Tokyo. If you visit during the summertime, the weather is especially great."
4.Lima, Peru
"I hear so many people say to skip it or only spend a day there, but I would say it's worth a trip. The historic downtown is gorgeous, and it’s on the coast with plenty of beaches. Plus the food and people are awesome. I spent four days there and still wish I had more time to explore."
"I think a lot of people tell tourists to skip Lima because some parts are crowded and can be unsafe, but there are so many world-class restaurants, great night life, and it's overall cheaper than other capital cities."
5.Croatia
"I went to Croatia a couple of years ago, and I loved it. It's so beautiful, the food is amazing, and the water is warm enough to swim."
"Traveling down the Dalmatian Coast on a summer day was one of the most breathtaking views I have ever seen. Dubrovnik is simply incredible: The water is clear, and the Old City makes you feel as if you've traveled back in time to the Middle Ages."
6.Mount Olympus, Greece
"Located in Northern Greece, it's the tallest mountain in the country. It offers rich wildlife and plant life, amazing peaks, canyons, waterfalls, and a history that dates back more than 2,000 years. The surrounding area is filled with beautiful small villages, archeological sites, and beaches with crystal-clear water."
7.Segovia, Spain
"While visiting Madrid, some locals recommended I take a day trip to Segovia, and I'm so glad I did. It's a great little town with a very cool history. The castle and cathedral are incredible, and the aqueduct makes the whole city look incredible at sunset. When I reminisce on my trip to Madrid, Segovia is the first thing I think about."
8.Lombok, Indonesia
"I loved Lombok, which is located just one island over from the more popular destination, Bali. It has all the same charms and allures as Bali, but it feels more authentic and affordable."
9.Tunisia
"Tunisia is one of the best countries I've ever traveled to. It's mind-boggling to me that most people who venture there see it as simply a beach destination. In fact, most things I loved about the country could be found deeper inland."
10.Poland
"Poland never seems to get much love, but the mountainous areas in the south are amazing. The food is also incredible."
"Pretty much all of Poland is fantastic. Gdansk in the north is my favorite, and Wroclaw is a close second."
11.San Sebastian, Spain
"Northern Spain, within 70 miles of the French border, has the best food in Europe. San Sebastian is a mecca for foodies, where you can drool over street food for lunch or dine at Michelin-starred restaurants for weeks straight before you run out of new options."
12.Armenia
"It's a great country with lots of beautiful nature, cool history, and great food and drinks. It's affordable, and everything is fairly close together so you can take lots of day trips from the capital city, Yerevan."
"I highly recommend venturing away from the capital. As beautiful as Yerevan is, it is nothing compared to the surrounding countryside. The country is not very big, so you can easily get to all of these places in 1–5 hours of driving."
13.US Virgin Islands
"These islands — St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix — are great for a lesser-known tropical vacation. They're inexpensive compared to better-known Caribbean destinations like the Bahamas."
14.Nicaragua
"I spent a week on the Corn Islands, which are on the Caribbean side, and it was incredible. Little Corn has no vehicles: It's a jungly landscape with walking paths, beaches, and small beach hotel bungalows."
15.Florianópolis, Brazil
"It's the capital of Santa Catarina, which is often called the Magic Island (and for good reason). You'll find amazing people, great beaches, excellent food, amazing weather, and just an all-round fantastic place to visit."
16.Algeria
"There are amazing ruins, few tourists, wonderful architecture, great people, and it's a good basecamp for exploring the Sahara Desert."
17.Giethoorn, Netherlands
"It's a small village where you can sail on a boat through the canals and just enjoy the view. In the summer it can get a bit crowded, but it's a lovely city. There are restaurants along the canals where you relax and have a drink. Not many tourists know about it, but it's a must-visit if you're in The Netherlands."
18.Puerto Rico
"My wife and I went to Puerto Rico for our honeymoon. Old San Juan was gorgeous, and we also spent time on Culebra and Vieques, the islands to the east. Culebra in particular was very laid-back with great snorkeling."
19.Oman
"For people who love the outdoors, Oman is a no-brainer. There's hiking, camping, dune bashing, and miles of untouched coastline. There are even lush rain forests. It's also extremely safe."
20.Tasmania
"When people think of Australia, they imagine beaches and coral reefs. Tasmania, on the other hand, is known for massive rain forests, beautiful scenic islands, and one of the largest Antarctic ports on the planet in Hobart."
"Tasmania has some of the best food on earth. You can go pluck fresh oysters from the sea, snorkel for fresh abalone, visit a snowcapped Mount Wellington for lunch, and then enjoy fish and chips on a beach for dinner."
21.Lucerne, Switzerland
"On a trip through Europe that included stops in cities such as Paris and Munich, my favorite place was Lucerne. I stayed at a little, family-run ski chalet in the Alps just outside of the city. Switzerland actually has five official languages: English, Italian, French, German, and Romanian. Each of these cultures heavily influenced a different part of Switzerland, and the different regions have very different feels, cuisines, and cultures. The whole country boasts breathtaking landscapes."
22.The Atlantic Provinces, Canada
"Each province has its own charm, so much natural beauty, and extremely friendly people. The coastal areas of New Brunswick are dotted with quaint towns and villages, and the views are amazing — especially up north on the Chaleur Bay looking toward the Gaspé Peninsula."
23.Western Sechuan, China
"If you're thinking of going to Tibet, I would recommend checking out the western region of Sichuan instead. The culture and landscape are similar, but you aren't required to get a special visa or travel with a guide, which results in a more authentic experience and the freedom to go where you want while still visiting a region that is culturally and ethnically Tibetan."
24.New Mexico
"The whole state is underrated, but specifically Albuquerque, Taos, and the New Mexican desert. The scenery is utterly breathtaking, the culture and history are unique, and the food is delicious. You'll know why people call it "The Land of Enchantment" as soon as you see the Sandia Mountains glowing pink at sunset."
25.Salvador de Bahia, Brazil
"It's a beautiful city with a very interesting history. It's also about an hour-long drive to nearby beach towns, so it's a good place to make your basecamp before exploring the surrounding region."
Have you traveled somewhere that felt underrated and totally blew away your expectations? Tell us in the comments below!
Disclaimer: This article was written to provide future travel recommendations or suggestions. However, it’s important to keep in mind your own health, community health, and COVID-19 exposure risk.
